Anchor-shaped cutaneous flap for volume replacement in oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery for a lower non-ptotic...

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is widely accepted as a standard treatment for early breast cancer, providing local control with favorable cosmetic outcomes. However, the resection of tumors in the lower pole of the breast often results in unsatisfactory deformities, particularly in women with small, non-ptotic breasts. We describe a simple oncoplastic technique using an anchor-shaped cutaneous flap that combines volume displacement of breast tissue with volume replacement using adjacent extra-breast tissue as a new oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OPBCS) technique. Three Japanese patients with early breast cancer involving the lower breast underwent this procedure. After complete tumor resection with adequate margins, an anchor-shaped cutaneous flap was designed along the inframammary fold. The de-epithelialized flap was elevated, rolled cranially, and sutured to fill the defect while simultaneously recreating the inframammary line. Both patients showed excellent breast symmetry, and there were no postoperative complications. This anchor-shaped flap is a practical option for patients with small, non-ptotic breasts who are not suitable candidates for reduction mammoplasty. It minimizes the volume deficit by removing redundant skin and effectively utilizes both intra- and extra-mammary tissue.